Brooks Factory Sprung Saddle Chassis / pic Nick Rearden

We had been more than prepared to give Brooks the benefit of the doubt when they'd said over the years that skilled artisans hammered copper rivets to secure fussily-selected cowhide to a luxuriously sprung chassis - we'd even seen the pictures - but it came as a surprise that not only are leather workers' skills bought to bear but a whole array of noisy cutting, stamping and metal-bashing machines are directed at raw steel sheets and rods to produce all those important chassis parts. We don't know where we imagined they came from but we are now under no illusion that not only is every last piece made in Smethwick but that they're all sitting there awaiting the emergency call years hence when a spare part is needed.